Tis: A Memoir by Frank McCourt Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.02 You Save: $10.98 (78%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Tis: A Memoir
Book Review: Do I detect an Irish Brogue? ;)
Summary: 4 Stars
I listened to this book as read by the Author. I recommend that, as I read Angela's Ashes and enjoyed it a lot as well, but there is something special about the reading by the author that adds a diminsion to the work that you can't quite catch reading it.
Up front, many are uncomfortable with this work and Angela's Ashes because of the language, which is quite blue in places. I don't find it the most endearing quality myself, but as a memoir it captures the language of the army, the loading dock, the teachers lounge and the bar. Be warned up front, if you are not comfortable hearing swearing, then this is NOT the book for you.
That having been said, listening to McCourt read, I caught the poetic, lyrical, stream of consciousness attributes that I knew were present in Angela's Ashes, but hearing the cadence, the lilting roll and flow of the language; there are parts of this book that come close to poetry. It is an amazing and endearing quality that is rarely achieved in most modern literature.
McCourt has a rare transparency with his insecurity, his dysfunctional relationships, his family dynamics, his romance with his first wife and his transition to teaching and moving toward writing is very revealing and almost has a therapeutic value as you listen and can recognize the human condition in general.
My one criticism, is that, perhaps, this book stretches a little long for the material he includes. The actual narrative events can be condensed to a very short story line. It is the embellishment, the thinking out loud and the dancing around in what becomes a farily discernible pattern by the end of the book to where, it "almost" becomes a little tedious, although this is faint criticism when weighed against the overall impact of the book.
A very entertaining listen and read! It is hard to follow-up on a Pulitzer Prize. The goal is lofty and the expectations overwhelming. My opinion is this book does not surpass its progenitor, but it certainly comes close and provides more of the same type of reading and entertainment.
I look forward to reading, and hopefully hearing the next installment.
Book Review: Good, but language offensive.
Summary: 3 Stars
My husband and I enjoyed this book for its history of living in New York and the struggles involved in finding employment and trying to keep a marriage alive. However, the language and hugh amount of the need to continually turn to alcohol to solve problems seems to get in the way of a good story.Book Review: Great Read!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is a "must read" particularly if you read Angela's Ashes. It's even better than his earlier books and really gives you a great feeling as to how he put his life together.Book Review: Interesting memoir
Summary: 4 Stars
'TIS is a much more interesting book than Angela's Ashes. The pace lends itself to a faster read, where Angela seemed to get bogged down at times. It still does not use quotations for dialogue, which is often tiresome to read, but does add to his literary style. Having read Teacher Man first, it feels like a step back, but it does give interesting insight into what makes us who we are.Book Review: Most Satisfied
Summary: 4 Stars
I was more than satisfied with the speed and accuracy of my purchase. The initial purchase via the internet was easy and uncomplicated. I enjoy purchasing items in this manner.